Cutting-chain



F. SMITH.

CUTTING CHAIN.

APPLICATION nuzo JULY 9.1919.

Patented Apr. 26, 1921,

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FINES SMITH, 0E GEORGETOWN, ILLDTOIS.

CUTTING-CHAIN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 26, 1221.

Application filed July 9, 191a. semi no. eoaeea ments in Cutting-Chains, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to chainsand more particularly to that class of chains which are used in cutting through coal and ore veins such as are encountered in coal mines and the like. A

My improved chain briefly stated comprises a series of cutter links which are joined'by an improvedform of flexible link which is provided with telescoping lugs which pass through ears formed on the cutter links. This arrangementprovides a construction whereby the working strains on the rivets joining the several links is practically eliminated, this strain being taken direcpilykiby the lugs formed on the The ob ects and advantages of my im proved chain will be clear to those skilled in the art from the following specification and claims.-

Figure 1 is a horizontal section through a portion of a cutter chain constructed in accordance with my invention, the section bein indicated on line 1-1 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a portion of the chain; I

Fig. 3 is a transverse section on line 3-8 of Fig. 2.

The chain comprises a-plurality of cutter links 5 each having an upwardly extending lug 6 which is provided with a socket 7 for the reception of a cutting tool 8 which can be adjustably secured in different positions by means of a set screw 9 and when neces sary or desirable keyed in place by a pin 10. The cutter links are each provided with outwardly extending flanges 11 adapted to coact with suitable guides 25 indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 3. The oppositely extending ears 12 and 13 of the cutter link are formed with apertures 14 and 15 for joining these cutter links with the connecting links to be presently described.

The links 16 which join the cutter links each consist of a pair of straps 17 and 18 having guide flanges 19 and 20 formed thereon which are adapted to travel in the guides 25 above referred to. Lugs 21 and 22 are integrally formed on the straps 18 and extend transversely across the chain to the plane of the inner face of the strap 17. Similar lugs are integrally formed with the strap 17 and extend transversely to the plane of the inner face of its complementary strap. The strap 17 is a duplicate of the strap 18 and has integrall formed lugs 21 and 22' formed thereon w ich'extend transversely across the chain to the plane of the inner face of its complementary stra 18. The lugs 21 and 21 telescope respectively nto the lu s 22 and 22' as is clearly shown in Fig. 1. he ears 12 and 13 surround lugs 22 and 22 formed on the straps 18 and 17' and rivets 23 having heads 24 pass through suitable apertures formed in the lugs 21 and 21 thereby holdin the several parts of the chain against re ative transverse movement.

In the coal cutting chains formerly in use the transversestrains on the links frequently caused the cutter links to deflect transversely relatively to the connecting links thereby producing an uneven or gouging cut and very often resultin in the eventual distortion or breakage o the cutter chain which necessitated frequent interruption of the work and caused delay and expense in the coal cutting operation.

By the utilization of the chain constructed in accordance with my invention the cutter links are held much more lateral deflection than was heretofore pos= sible. The arrangement of telescoping lugs which extend from one inner face to the other of the straps provides a long bearing of generous diameter for the cutter links thereby distributing the wear over a great area and prolonging the life of the chain. This construction also removes the shearing strain from the connecting rivets and puts it on the large telescoping lugs which are better suited to take the heavy loads imposed thereon.

While I have described with great particularity the embodiment of the invention shown herein it is not to be construed thererigidly against from that I am limited to such construction, I

necting links being composed of two straps, each strap having tubular lugs of even diameter throughout their le th integrally formed on their opposite en the lugs at each end of the link telescoping on each other throughout their entirelength so that the inner one forms a bearing for the outer extending acres the entire space between said straps to the plane of the inner face ofthe opposite strap, a rivet passing through suitable counter-sunk apertures in each end of said links and through said inner tubular lugs adapted to hold the several parts of said link against relative transverse movement, said cutter links having lugs fitting snugly between the strapsof said connecting links and around the outer lugs thereof, so as to prevent the transverse deflection of said cutter links, and outwardly extending ide flanges formed on each side of said inks. 2. A chain for coal cutting machines comprising, in combination, alternately arranged cutter links and connecting links, said connecting links being composed of two straps, each strap having tubular lugs of even diameter throughout their length integrally formed on-their opposite ends, one 0 said lugs on each of said straps being of lesser diameter than the other and adapted to tele scope the lug of lar er diameter on the o posite strap throng out its entire length, said lugs of lesser (llameter thereby forming a bearing for the lugs of greater diameter extending across the entire space between said straps to the plane of the inner face of the opposite strap, a rivet passing throughsuitable counter-sunk apertures in each of said cutter links, and outwardly extending guide flanges l'ormed on each side of said links.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name.

FINIS SMITH. 

